Searching for a S&W .44 Magnum

[scdjr]

just PICKED UP my 29-2 bought on this forum VERY pleased with quality and business transaction

 

[CDR_Glock]

Searching for a S&W .44 Magnum

Here is my New Baby!

50 yards free handed, obviously.

[ame]https://vimeo.com/187412276[/ame]




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Harkrader]

OK, here's my chip in the pot.
For years I backpacked the Colorado Rockies carrying .357 Magnum revolvers. I had a friend, now gone, who advocate for the caliber, saying it would handle any animal I might encounter there. He told me black bears are easily taken with that caliber, and, at the time, there were no brown bears there.

In the late '70s I began backpacking in the Idaho Backcountry with a friend who had done that for years. He said that if I carried a .357 Magnum I should be sure to file off the front sight so it wouldn't hurt so much when the bear shoved it up my rectum. He carried a Ruger .44 mag.

I went through several .44 magnum revolvers, settling first on a Colt Anaconda. To lighten my trail weight I later got a S&W 629 and carried my handloads, 300-gr bullets at 900fps from its 4" barrel. This gun was painful to shoot with this ammo.

Long story shortened, I still carry a 329PD in black bear territory with my handloads, but alternate my 627PC with 5" barrel, or 627-5 Pro Series 8-shot with a barrel just over 4". I also like my 625 .45-Colt with 4" barrel with 260-gr hard-cast lead bullets at 850fps (John Taffin loads). And a couple others, just because I can.

I am, sadly, getting a bit old to backpack the Idaho Backcountry but would carry a 6" 29 if I ever do again, with my heavy handloads. I'd rather carry hand grenades, but, you know . . ..

 

[Raystown]

I was lucky enough to find a nice 629-4 in 4" from a local guy. Love shooting it, it's a great gun for sure. Good luck in your search. Grab a buddy's 44 and try it out, alot of ranges rent guns also.

Brian

 

[Lee's Landing Billy]

Sounds like a sweet deal. I'm still in the struggle phase which .44 will work for me. I shot a 3" .44 today but with special ammo since the range doesn't allow .44 mag loads. But thank you for your offer and guidance.

Just to stir up a little dust, I have a PC 3 inch that is as new no box. It IS priced right!!!

 

[ddixie884]

Most .44 Magnum loads are a good bit lighter than when it came out in the 50s. Most 240gr loads are rated at a little over 1200fps, not the 1400fps or more like the old half jacketed Remingtons. Boutique .44spl is also available. I'd really hold out for a .44, if that is what you want.
Of course if you handload, You can have anything you want to shoot.

 

[ddixie884]

If you think you want a .44, I'd hold out for one. You can shoot milder ammo until you get acclimated and full load .357s have a crack that is very hard on my ears.

 

[Mike_Fontenot]

[...]
Most 240gr loads are rated at a little over 1200fps, not the 1400fps or more like the old half jacketed Remingtons.
[...]

Underwood 240gr .44mag JHP's are specked at 1500 ft/s.

 

[FWP]

Tom

Who made that chest rig? It is military?

 

[bigdave35180]

Comfortable holster for all day

Before you buy any holster, please look at a Diamond D custom Guide holster. They are in Wasilla , Alaska, and they are pricey, but nothing else even comes close...